Similar to SETI – the Search
for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Search for ETI), where one listens for
messages sent to Earth – METI means "Messaging to ETI": Sending both scientific
and artistic messages to the stars. So, METI Art represents not Art about
Space, but Art for Space. In other words, METI Art is the creative work
of Earth destined for inclusion in the Planetary
Consciousnesses of supposed extraterrestrial civilizations.

METI is an important
quality of a global civilization marked by a mature Planetary Consciousness.
The present state of Earth Consciousness is characterized in part by a low
level of METI activity. The fact is that our civilization has engaged in about
100 SETI programs (see, for example, Jill Tarter’s "Archive of SETI", SETI 2020 Roadmap, pp. 381-425), and only
one METI Program (at the Evpatoria Radar Telescope). Perhaps, at present, the fundamental
nature of the Consciousness of Earth is characterized, in part, by a preference
to receive rather than to give? But however that may be, the
scientific and technological aspects of METI are clear: Three terrestrial radar
telescopes – in Arecibo (Puerto Rico), Goldstone (California), and Evpatoria (Crimea)
– can generate signals that are detectable everywhere in the Milky Way Galaxy. In
fact, humans have already transmitted four interstellar radio messages toward 16 celestial targets.
But, unfortunately, the artistic aspects of METI are in a state of infancy. However,
we believe the maturation of METI Art as a widespread art form will evoke an
abundance of METI transmissions: With the creation of outstanding works of METI
Art, our Planetary Consciousness will greatly shift toward a ‘preference to
give’: toward a tendency to share our Planetary Consciousness with the cosmos.

There
are at least two peculiar features of METI Art. First, it should be
understandable throughout the Universe; or at least we should always strive to
achieve this cardinal goal while engaging in the creative process. Second, METI
Art should be laconic due to certain technical limitations on the size of interstellar
radio messages.